culvert

[ kuhl-vert ]

noun

1. a drain or channel crossing under a road, sidewalk, etc.; sewer; conduit.

culvert

/ ˈkʌlvət /

noun

1. a drain or covered channel that crosses under a road, railway, etc
2. a channel for an electric cable
3. a tunnel through which water is pumped into or out of a dry dock

Word History and Origins

Origin of culvert¹

First recorded in 1765–75; origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of culvert¹

C18: of unknown origin

Example Sentences

In May 2015, one pipeline ruptured and gushed oil into a culvert under Highway 101 and eventually discharged into the Pacific Ocean.

From Los Angeles Times

The court heard it was raining at the time of the crash but there had been heavy downpours overnight, causing a culvert to block on the road.

From BBC

He said while Perkins was travelling at a "grossly excessive speed", the defendant "wasn’t to know there was blocked culvert on the carriageway" which caused him to aquaplane and hit Mr Jeanes.

From BBC

The soldier notices it and runs for cover, hiding in a drainage culvert by the roadside.

From BBC

Grimmett’s remains were discovered in 1983 when children playing in a culvert near the area of Canada and Old Trabuco roads in Lake Forest stumbled upon a human skull, authorities said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• duct
• gutter
• pipe